Friday, December 31, 2010

Favourite Things of 2010

This year I have rediscovered a few of my old favourites in the food department.  Of course food isn't the only important part of my life!  I have other things, like friends and work and Church and music.  So here is the list( in no particular order) of my favourite things as of 31 December 2010.  Happy New Year Everyone!
1. Choc-mint icecream!
2. Skinny Cow ice cream (yes that's the real name!)
3. Vanilla thickshakes
4. Pizza
5. The BFF's lasagne!
6. My new home
7. Do I Really have to teach reading? (the instructional manual for my job)
8. The crazy friend/ Mrs Honeysweet my teaching partner
9. Colouring in (a new favourite past-time)
10. My hair, I got a perm! don't laugh, it suits me!
11. Classical music
12. My new church
13. Tracky Dacks (tracksuit pants)
14. My phone (a phone, camera and an mp3player all in one!)
15. Gerbras

Thursday, December 30, 2010

Thursday again... Physio

Another Thursday rolls around and so comes another person to thank. This will be short, I promise!


The Physio... or more specifically my physio is a wonderful person.  As we count the final days of the year most of us are planning parties or reviewing the year's events.  This year it has been obvious to most people that I spend a great deal of my time and money at the physio.  I am sincerely grateful for the fabulous physio that has been treating me this year.  While I certainly pay good money for it,  I appreciate the excellent level of care that I receive when I visit her.  Of course everyone knows I'm her favourite patient ;)
She is an absolute angel.  She knows lots of stuff and she reads (I think even more than me) and she is very gentle.  This  (my friends) is the highest praise a physio can receive.  She is gentle and caring, a great listener and gives me advice without telling me what to do.  I love her to bits and I have to admit, it may be her fault I'm a physio junkie! 


I thank God everyday for the excellent medical care and advice that I have access to, and the wonderful people who deliver it.  

Wednesday, December 29, 2010

It's Wednesday

I have finally worked it out.  It's Wednesday today and it just so happens that I have actually learned a new word this week.  So another Wednesday Word has been born...


On Sunday morning I went to church with my parents.  During the sermon the "preacher" used the word propitiation.  He was using a Powerpoint Presentation.  I listened to the sentences around what he had said.  I read and re-read the related dot points.  Then I leaned over to my mother and whispered, "what does propitiation mean?"  to which she replied, "I don't know, I was going to ask you!" 

So, I "googled" it and according to Wikipedia: In Christianity, propitiation is a theological term denoting that by which God is rendered propitious, i.e., that 'satisfaction' or 'appeasement' by which it becomes consistent with his character and government to pardon and bless sinners. The propitiation does not procure his love or make him loving; rather, it renders it consistent for him to exercise his love towards sinners. (http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Propitiation)

If you are confused then you are not alone.  I've had time to think about this and I think there is a simpler definition.  In my own words... propitiation is a noun (name) for the sacrifice and grace through which God offers salvation and forgiveness to those who have sinned.

Well that's Wednesday's new word!   Hope your Wednesday was Wondrous!

Tuesday, December 28, 2010

GGM What to write?

The week between Christmas and New Year's always sends me off kilter.  It probably sends most people a little  loopy, but there are only a few of us who are willing to admit it.  I also have so much to write about, I don't know where to begin!

Whether it is visiting family and friends, DIY projects, hitting the shops or desperately grasping at a quiet week away, it all seems upside down.  For instance, I haven't the faintest idea what day it is!

 I went shopping today and was very disappointed by the so-called sales.   There were far less bargains around than I expected, especially considering the latest news stories about struggling retailers slashing prices!  The BFF suggested that the retailers don't watch the news and therefore they don't know that they are supposed to be slashing prices.  I still managed to spend some cash and picked up a few bargains in terms of Christmas wrapping paper and decorations.  Considering that a fair amount of our decorations were borrowed this year, I decided it was worth the $2-$3 that I spent on glittery balls.  Tomorrow, I am on the hunt for tinsel!

Then of course there is the novelty and excitement of all the new "toys" or (in my case) books that one has received. I have found myself sitting on the lounge picking up book after book, reading blurbs, fingering the covers and pages, and realising that after thirty minutes I still haven't decided which book I will read.  As a result, I have finished the picture books, and am bouncing between an essay collection entitled Crazy Salad (by Nora Ephron) and the 5th book in the Diary of a Wimpy Kid series (Jeff Kinney).  You might think that the two books are worlds apart and in a way they are, but fundamentally they are both exploring similar themes and the human condition.  Perhaps a discussion for another day.

See what I mean? Complete and total brain overload.  I will let you know if I find some tinsel...

Sunday, December 26, 2010

Christmas Day!

Check out the Christmas Haul! I also received photos of children nos 1-6 and the family but for the sake of anonymity I am not going to show them. Apparently I also received chocolates but you can imagine that they did not last very long!
The best thing about Christmas this year, was the nap I had in the bedroom after lunch (lol, just kidding).

I had a great time with family and a great chat to Nan on the phone. It was a loud and lovely day! Exactly what Christmas should be!!!

I hope everyone else had a great day too!

The best thing about Christmas, was the Christmas Bon Bon Jokes.... everyone gave me theirs, so I have quite a bit of fodder for the LOL gadget! hee hee hee

OOPS Sorry: I just realised that some of the prezzies I received earlier this month did not get in the photo.  They must be camera shy!
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Friday, December 24, 2010

Christmas Eve

A short story through the eyes of a family pet


There is an awful lot of excitement around here today.  Everyone is very busy!  No one wants to play ball with me and I'm done sleeping.  I have to say it's really noisy.  There are these really silly songs playing, they are about bells and sleigh rides and snow (whatever that is).  Mum is in the kitchen whipping cream and cutting up fruit.  Dad is playing computer games with the boys.  The girls are hiding in their room with shining stuff and scissors and they are really giggly.  


I don't know why I'm surprised though, this happens every year!  Mum (I don't think she's my real mum, we look nothing alike) has been preparing for months.  She keeps circling things in catalogues and shopping on the Internet.  Then, a few weeks ago there was a terrible raucous.  The big box came out of the cupboard and the kids went nuts.  There were big long snakes of shiny stuff everywhere, and little balls with cotton on them.  It was very confusing, no one let me play with them... they kept hanging them on the plastic tree and laughing at me!  


Last week the craziness continued.  Mum and Dad came home during the day with gigantic boxes and coloured paper.  There was ribbon and toys everywhere.  I have never seen so many batteries.  I couldn't understand what they were doing, it is usually the kids that play with toys.  Perhaps Mum and Dad wanted to have a turn before the kids got hold of them, they do have a tendency to break things. Not me of course, I can't be broken, I'm a tough guy.  It doesn't matter how often they scratch my ears or pull my tail.  I love them just the same.  There is nothing better than a nap on the couch with a kid curled up next to you.  Oh wait, yes there is.  Fetch!  It's the best game ever! Oh dear, here it comes...


They are putting out biscuits and milk, not for me, but for some guy they call "Santa."  I don't get it though, because after the kids go to bed Mum and Dad are just going to drink the milk and eat the biscuits.  I have never seen this Santa dude.  This time of year all the humans just go silly.  I worry about them.  But then after a few weeks the plastic tree gets put away and the shiny stuff goes back in the box.  Eventually everyone settles down, the kids go back to school and we all go back to normal.  


 Uh-oh, reindeer ears.  The stupid girls are putting them on my head and taking photos.  My head feels crooked.  "AAAWWWW" they are saying.  Apparently I'm soo cute.  In actual fact, I soo have a headache.  


Finally!  They are all going to bed.  I have to admit, bed time is a lot easier tonight.  Mum is saying that Santa won't come if they don't go to bed by 8.  I wonder if the kids know that he isn't coming.  That he doesn't ever come.  Not to our house anyway.  Although, last year I got a present from Santa too. So maybe he waits until I'm asleep.  You would think I would hear him.  


Aaaahhhh, the lights are out and everyone is in bed, I'm just going to curl up on my bed and relax.  Apparently tomorrow is a big day.

Thursday, December 23, 2010

The BFF

It's Thank You Day again!  Today the lucky recipient is... my BFF!


She is the best friend I have ever had.  The girl with the look, the smile, the shyness that makes her "die of embarrassment" whenever we go out in public.  But no matter how embarrassing I am, she still braves the shopping trips, church events, birthday parties and even the family get-togethers! Either she is a "slow learner" or I'm more important to her than the opinion of strangers.


She makes me want to be a better person.  She is a living example of an awesome woman of God.  The kind of chick you want at your party.  The kind of chick you want planning your party!  The modest chick, who takes a compliment and says thank you while she blushes.  I want to be just like her.... almost!  We go well together and I am so glad that somewhere along the way I ended up living in her spare room.  She has the most calming influence on me (like Jasper in Twilight).  She's the one with the level head, the one with great ideas, the one with the words of encouragement.  She is brilliant, awesome, funny, beautiful, quiet (whatever), intelligent and (in my book this is a compliment) sensible except when she's silly!  


I know she would do almost anything for me, because she has done almost anything for me.  She is always at the other end of the phone (and now the house).  She is always herself.  I love her to bits!  I thank God for her everyday!!! I am always in awe that God decided to throw us together but I think it was a great idea!


So, Thanks Joey!  I love ya almost as much as I love your lasagne! ;) 

Look what I did!!!


I know they're random photos but who cares... I feel clever. Have to say thanks to the BFF for her help with the technology... I'm getting there!
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Wednesday... I learned a new word!

My teaching partner, and the only friend I have that is just a little bit crazier than me (we all have to have one), sent me a text message yesterday.  It said..."possibly zotting over your way tomorrow, shall i pop in...?"  to which I replied, "O yes pls. Ive never seen u zot before!" 


You see, I thought that "zotting" was a typo of some kind (they tend to happen when you combine hurried fingers and tiny buttons) and I was making fun of her (this also tends to happen when you put two crazies together).  Anyway, we were on the phone last night and she told me that "zot" is an actual word.  She even looked it up in the dictionary and read me the definition!  So my new word for the week (one that is rather fitting for the frenzy of the Christmas Season) is:


Zot (zotted, zotting): colloquial (that means slang): 1. to do or depart quickly. 2. to kill. 


I do hope I got that definition correct, my dictionary doesn't have it, so I'm writing it from memory!  Before you all start thinking that I'm the most gullible person on earth and my dear "crazy" friend is pulling my leg, why don't you "google" it?!   


Having said all of that, I have one thing to say to my "crazy" friend.  I love you honeysweet!  You know why I'm calling you that and for the purposes of A Great Title that is your new nickname.  Would you rather crazy friend?

I hope everyone's Wednesday was Wonderful!


BTW: I know it's Thursday Thank You Day.... I'm getting to it!

Wednesday, December 22, 2010

It's Beginning to Look Alot Like Christmas!

Some may think that I am a little behind the times.  Especially considering the appearance of Christmas Decorations in the shops in October, one might think I have been living under a rock!  The truth is, I noticed it, I even acknowledged it.  However, I refused to participate in the absolute farce of the commercialised Christmas that begins in October and continues through until late January when the tinsel is replaced with Easter Eggs.  I do not participate in the Christmas season until December 1st.  Having said that, I have finished wrapping all the Christmas presents.  The tree is erected and decorated and there are poinsettias adorning the tv cabinet.  I don't think anyone could call me a grinch!


I quite enjoy the Christmas season in fact.  I love gift giving and taking the opportunity to tell people how much I love them.  Although running the gift giving gauntlet continues to cause a great deal of stress.  I thought that as I grew up (and became more financially stable) that it would get easier.  Unfortunately, this year is not one of financial stability for anyone.  So what does one give?  The truth of the matter is that it shouldn't matter.  But to some people it does.  It really matters.


The easy way out used to be the magical "gift voucher." But now there aren't gift vouchers, there are gift cards!  These are apparently the perfect choice for the person who is very particular.  However, you then need to decide what the gift card should be for, will it be itunes, movies, books, a restaurant or a hot air balloon ride.  A simple $20 note seems quite slack now that the gift card business has boomed.  You can buy a gift card for almost anything and almost any store these days.  The simplicity of the gift card gift is out the proverbial window.  Once again we are presented with so many options that you might as well buy your loved ones an actual gift. 


The handmade and homemade gift also seems to be another fall back.  People seem to be wild for personalised gifts.  T shirts with photos of oneself.  Calendars with charming photos of the children and the pets.  Christmas decorations made out of folded paper or ribbon.  Hand painted Santa's that hang from the tree.  Mosaic photo frames.  If you can make it using the basic supplies in the craft cupboard or a visit to a website then it is perfect.  How can anyone say less than "THANK YOU SOO MUCH!" When you have spent your precious time, money and effort making something just for them.  Especially if it is something useful!  We won't mention the fact that the gift giver actually designed one calendar and got 20 of them printed for all of their friends.  We also won't mention that they came gift wrapped and tagged.  Meanwhile the morning news shows are producing segments about "the best Christmas gift ideas" followed by "how to pretend you love the gift you hate."  (What a cynic I've become!)

This begs the question... have we all forgotten the true purpose and meaning of this joyous public holiday.  This so-called silly season does have a reason.  A real reason, a real purpose and not a bit of it has to do with gift cards or tinsel.  We all need to remember why we give gifts at Christmas, why we travel to be "home" with our families, why we sing Christmas carols and more importantly why our Churches are packed out.  We are retelling the true story of journeys made all those years ago.  Journeys that all ended in the same place, a stable where a baby was born under a bright star. 

Sometimes the Christmas celebrations can be a bit wearing.  I know that I was over it by December 2nd.  But please, enjoy your Christmas this year and remember why we do it.  Go to your local  church and thank God for sending his only Son to this earth.  If you don't know the story that I'm talking about, the one about all the journeys and the gifts that were brought to this new born baby, ask someone, it's a great story! 

Besides, with all the shopping and wrapping and cooking you could probably use the rest! :)

The 12 Pains of Christmas



I can't take credit for this one, but it did make me giggle!

Disclaimer: While the characters in this video are Lego, you might want to watch the whole thing before showing your kids.  One of the frames near the end is a tad disturbing.  If you ignore it, the rest is good. I promise!

Saturday, December 18, 2010

McFlurry Adventures

This is an excerpt of an email that I sent to my housemate at work one afternoon to give her a giggle.  It is a story of an escaping McFlurry that meets a yummy end, and an innocent housemate. 
BTW: I have been asked by some of my "older readers" to use a bigger font.  I apologise for the assault on the senses of the "normal" sighted people out there!

Dear Ma'am,
I regretfully inform you that your Mcflurry is missing, presumed eaten by.... hhhmm (looks around innocently) someone!  You see, ma'am on the afternoon in question (i.e. this one) the freezer was open for just a few minutes.  It seems your half eaten Mcflurry choose to jump out of the freezer and leg it, ginger bread man style!  Unfortunatley the un-named housemate who opened the freezer door, had her hands full of other cold delights and with her pain condition (whatever it is) prevented her from chasing after it.  As we found the surrounding M cup ripped to shreds beside a nearby stream (we do have those in the 'ridge') we must assume the worst.  I'm so very sorry for your loss.  We do believe that the culprit could be any of the magical fairytale creatures that are known for this sort of thing: the crocodile that ate Captain Cook's hand and pocket watch, the fox that ate the ginger bread man himself.  Then, of course, there is the infamous Big Bad Wolf that ate Little Red Riding Hood and her dear old Granny (although he maintains that he only wanted the cakes in her basket) and when he was accused of eating the Three Little Pigs, he claims he was simply visiting to ask for a cup of sugar (a likely story).  It just goes to show that you just can't trust anyone these days! Perhaps if you had labelled your food, much in the same way we do with our pets, your "half an Oreo Mcflurry with the hot fudge stirred in" might have been returned to your freezer promptly and without harm.  We would also like to mention that if you choose to purchase such a dessert again, the uneaten left over half that is sent to the freezer for an "ice cream emergency" tastes delicious with the uneaten half of the chocolate mousse that may or may not have been in the fridge on the day of the alleged incident.  Again, our deepest sympathies for your loss and we suggest you ask your room mate (innocent as she is) to shout each of you a replacement on the next quiet night you two happen to have at home (like that will ever happen!).

Kindest Regards
Mr F. Tales
Dessert Disappearance Unit

Thursday, December 16, 2010

Thank You Day

I love alliteration almost as much as I love rhyming verse.  Therefore, I have decided that I am going to make Thursday Thank You Day.  I am going to use Thursday to say thank you for the blessings in my life.  Don't get me wrong, I am thankful everyday, but on Thursday I am going to write about it.  This week I am saying thank you for my parents.

My mum and dad are not the richest people when it comes to money.  They have both worked very hard for a long time.  However as children, my sister and I had everything we needed.  We never went to bed hungry or missed a Santa photo.  We always had the right uniforms for school.  Our hair was neat and we were clean.  We always got a gift at Christmas and we went on family holidays.  No matter what, we were loved and supported. 

When I separated from my husband, my parents took me in (and charged me board), they nursed me through a difficult greiving time as best they could.  Now that I am unwell, they do their best to understand.  Mum does her best to be with me and hold my hand when I need it. 

Mum and Dad took me to church and taught me about Jesus.  They told me that it was important to do the best I could, regardless of what other people were doing.  They encouraged me and were proud of my efforts.  They supported me through university and my divorce.  Mum showed me how to dress for different occassions and flatter my figure (big or small).  She stayed up late with me when I was doing assignments.  Dad explained why it wasn't a good idea to go to a party with teenagers who were drinking alcohol.  He explained a lot of things to me about the world, even when I didn't ask. 

They are loud and crazy and at times exasperating.  But then again, so am I! 

So, Thank You Mum and Dad!!! I love you!

Wednesday, December 15, 2010

A Modern Day Psalm

FYI: A psalm is a written prayer.  It might be lyrics set to music.  It might be verse or prose.  I think of psalms as letters to God.  When I write one, I think of it as an opportunity to tell my greatest best friend how much I love Him.  I wrote this particular one as a "homework project" during Senior Soldiership Classes (to become a member of the Salvation Army).  We had just finished studying a "picture" of God, as described in the Bible. 

Heavenly Father,
How great You are!
Creator and Provider. 
You know my every need and bless me in abundance.
Your word gives me peace.

Jesus, Risen Saviour,
Teacher and Friend.
Thank you for Your unltimate sacrifice. 
Thankyou for Your eternal love.

Holy Spirit,
Comforter and Counsellor.
You breathe strength into my soul and guide me everyday.
You find me in my joy and in my sorrow.

Your grace, Lord, washes over me and brings me to Your feet.
I rest in the knowledge of You. 

I am in awe of Your creation, provision and grace.
I AM LOVED AND UNDERSTOOD!
My heart fills with Joy!

My words can not describe Your majesty or tell of my gratitude. 
You Lord, are truly God!


I wrote this for me and My Lord, but I hope that it blessed you too.  
For more information about The Salvation Army you can visit: http://salvos.org.au/.
You can also learn more about this Amazing God and His Grace at: http://www.thewordfortoday.com.au/xml-rpc/

:) M

Tuesday, December 14, 2010

GGM- "It's gonna be a thing."

How I Met Your Mother fans, you would be familiar with this phrase (It's gonna be a thing).  It is a hallmark Barney saying, which he uses whenever he makes up some sort of rule for the "dating world."  The most well known of these is the "Lemon Law."  For the people who don't watch How I Met Your Mother I'm not going to explain it to you, because it really isn't relevant to my story! 

But hang in there, I will get to the point eventually!

My 5 year old nephew ( AKA: number 4) has a particular saying which I am sure he must have picked up at Day Care.  It is the cutest thing you have ever heard.  He says "Goodness Gracious" and sometimes he adds on the "me."  He uses it in context quite skillfully and even has the perfect tone to his voice when it erupts from his mouth!  For example: The other day my sister and I were driving into the city with all the kids (numbers 1-6) which you can imagine was rather noisy! So in an effort to keep them occupied and quiet we told them to look out the window and count the cars.  Number 4 pipes up from way at the back of the bus, "Goodness Gracious!"

You are still wondering, aren't you? We are nearly there, I promise! 

My BFF and I truly dislike it (hate is such a strong word) when people use the OMG abbreviation.  For those who are not familiar with "text language" it means "Oh My God."  We don't like that at all!  So I am proposing that we start using: GGM instead.  It means "Goodness Gracious Me!" and I think it is much more appropriate for us special people who don't like swearing.

So get texting people, and just wait, "It's gonna be a thing!"

Monday, December 13, 2010

Meet the Family

You have no idea how difficult it is to get everyone looking at the camera at the same time!

I decided you needed to meet my new friends.  Some of them are new and some are not so new, but they all love living with me!  The biggest bear in the middle is Hagrid. The cat on his shoulder is called Dharma.  The brown and white dog is called Ruff, and the teddy lying on his back is Syd.  The dark brown bear with the green scarf and maroon skirt is called Gail.  The tiny puppy on her head is called Smee.  The blue pony next to him is called Luna.  Unfortunately my littlest puppy toy is nameless.  The Armidillo and the Longhorn only joined the family yesterday and they too are yet to have names.  This certainly requires some thought. 

:) M

The very first one...

Greetings,

I suppose I should say good morning.  It is 12:15 am.  I have had a long and interesting sort of day and I can not sleep.  For those of you who don't know me or my sleeping patterns very well... I am usually in bed well before 10pm.  So this delightful experience of midnight television really is quite an afront to my routine.  So, I decided to do it.  Finally, I have set up the email account and the blog.  Here it is.  The very first post. 

For a number of months now my best friend has shared in my excitement about my "bright idea." This plan to compose my own blog.  I believe her encouragment is more related to the fact that she is forced to listen to my madness, and she hopes that if I get it out online, she will be spared my commentary on the world.  I guess she also hopes that my madness won't seem quite so mad when it is viewed in the context of the internet.  A place where anyone and everyone can be a published author.  Anyone can be a blogger and anyone can tell their story.  It really is an amazing concept.  My musing, or should we call it rambling considering the "late" hour, could be read by a complete stranger and all I have to do is press the button!  This could be quite exciting.  So for those of you who have decided to visit my lovely little blog, hang in there, I promise it will get more interesting.

If you are wondering what my blog will be about in future, rest assured that you are not alone!
More later,